The sense in Old English was "to perceive through senses which are not referred to any special organ." Sense of "be conscious of a sensation or emotion" developed by late 13c.; that of "to have sympathy or compassion" is from c.1600. To feel like "want to" attested from 1829.

Example Sentences for feel up

They'll be anxious to express their emotions, when they feel up to it.

Some of those around him have no doubt committed it; but he does not feel up to it.

"Do not come unless you feel up to it," said Nurse Bryerley.

I did not feel up to encountering the eccentricities of my steed.

"Because I did not feel up to it," Blythe replied plainly enough.

Go and spend a week there; it will make you feel up in the stirrups, I know.

And now, if you feel up to telling it, I want to hear about your adventure.

If you really do feel up to it, Dave, what say we get on along back, what?

I feel up to most anything with this miserable fog down on me.

He told Dolling that he was ill, and that he did not feel up to driving the car.